Dom Donald's Blog: Holy Child laughs . . .

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Holy Child laughs . . .

Mass

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

God loved the world so much . . . . Jn. 3:16

At the Carols Service for the Knights at the Guesthouse – at the Christmas refreshments there was a very small child looking very happy. She smiled and beamed her benign gaze on each one, looking into our eyes with wonder.

This morning, the Gospel (Lk. 2:22 . . .) speaks of Simeon

In the Temple and the widow Anna.

Both speak the body language of their aging years and speak the words of prophesy.

The body language of the Child Jesus expresses the infant’s contentment and smiling with embrace of love.

We have just been singing of the ‘laughing eyes’ in the opening Hymn:

The Holy Child of Bethlehem

beholds his Mother’s face,

And laughs to see reflected there

His own dear gift of grace

His gift of grace.

And that brightens our morning in celebrating the Mass, asking the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts.

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Bernard 900 at Citeaux

O.C.S.O. Order of Cistercians
of the the Strict Observance

Vocations Year 2012-2013

The ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux

Monday, 06 August 2012

On the occasion of the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux, Dom Olivier, abbot of Cîteaux, has asked us to pass on the following invitation to all the members of the Order:

Our community is going to celebrate the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entering Cîteaux (1112 or 1113?). To mark the event, we are setting up a campaign of prayer for vocations, from 20^th August 2012 to 20^th August 2013. We invite you to join us with this prayer:

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Most gracious Father,
in setting up the New Monasteryour fathers followed the poor Christ into the desert.
Thus they lived the Gospel
by rediscovering the Rule of Saint Benedict in its purity.

You gave Bernard of Fontaine
the ability to make this new life attractive and appealing to others,
in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Grant that we today, after their example,
may live our charism deeply
in a spirit of peace, unity, humility,
and above all, in the charity which surpasses all other gifts.
May men and women of our time
be newly called to follow the Gospel in monastic life,
in the service of the Church’s mission,
and in a world forgetful of You.

Remember Lord, Cîteaux,

where Bernard arrived with his companions.
May the brothers there
continue to live in the enthusiastic and generative spirit of the founders.

Remember all who live the Cistercian charism.

Remember all Cistercian communities,
those which are aging and those newly-born,
in all parts of the world, north and south, east and west.

Let them not lose courage in times of trial,
but turn to her whom Bernard called the Star of the Sea.

Holy Father,
from whom we have already received so much,
grant us again your blessing
that our communities may grow in numbers,
but above all in grace and in wisdom,
to your glory,
who are blessed for ever and ever.

Amen.

900 years, anniversary

Bernard arrived 1112-1113

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_bartolomeo_02_Vision_of_St_Bernard_with_Sts_Benedict_and_John_the_Evangelist.jpg